Cumbria Community Foundation

Cumbria Community Foundation, established in 1999, is an independent UK community foundation dedicated to tackling poverty, enhancing quality of life, and building resilient communities across Cumbria. Its vision of a compassionate county where everyone thrives drives a mission to channel philanthropic resources to local needs, guided by values of fairness, inclusion, transparency, responsiveness, and accountability. Governed by trustees from business, civil society, and community leadership, it stands out for its deep local insight, participatory Community Panels, and ability to convene partners, ensuring rapid, targeted responses to chronic disadvantage through over 121 funds.

The foundation prioritises five themes: alleviating poverty; boosting health and wellbeing (especially mental health); supporting children, youth, and families; strengthening community infrastructure; and enabling volunteering, employment, and training for marginalised groups. It funds vulnerable beneficiaries like refugees, disabled people, isolated rural residents, and those facing deprivation via projects such as the Welcome Fund for asylum seekers, youth mental health initiatives, foodbanks, domestic violence services, and capacity building for grassroots groups. Supported activities include core costs, project grants, capital improvements, start-ups, multi-year programmes, and hardship relief, emphasising early intervention, prevention, and sustainability.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups (including volunteer-led with three unrelated members) based strictly in Cumbria—covering Barrow, Carlisle, Copeland, Allerdale, Eden, and South Lakeland—with preference for those under £200,000 annual income. Applications via online portal are welcomed unsolicited; contact grants officers first for fit. Most funds have rolling deadlines with monthly/quarterly committee meetings (check site for specifics like 19 September 2025). Typical grants range £1,000–£10,000 (up to £75,000 multi-year), excluding religious activities, businesses, and some capital. Its distinctiveness lies in flexible, place-based funding and donor-aligned bespoke programmes for maximum local impact.